Construction kit

Abstract

Construction kit with two- and / or three-dimensional construction elements (1, 9) with magnetic elements (4) in the corners and / or sides and ferromagnetic spheres (11), which can be placed between the magnetic elements (4) of adjacent construction elements (1, 9) to connect the construction elements (1, 9) together using a magnetic bond so that they can be detached.

Description

[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 503,295, filed Feb. 17, 2005 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,778, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, and which was the national stage of International Application No. PCT / EP02 / 13311, filed Nov. 26, 2002, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. DE 202 02 183.1, filed Feb. 1, 2002.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention refers to a construction kit which consists of construction elements with magnetic elements and ferromagnetic spheres.[0004]Construction kits of the type mentioned initially are intended particularly for use as children's toys, educational toys, for producing decorative objects or for applications in technology, for example, for producing architectural models.[0005]2. Background of the Invention[0006]A construction kit is already known which contains construction elements in the form of plastic rods with two permanent magnets in the ends a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0015]Since the construction kit includes two- and / or three-dimensional construction elements, the stability of the structures created with the aid of these construction elements and with ferromagnetic spheres is significantly better in comparison with the known construction kit with rod-type construction elements. This makes it possible only to use relatively weak magnets and to avoid additional ferromagnetic components within the construction elements. The construction of particularly large, stable structures is also supported. In addition, the two- or three-dimensional construction elements have the advantage that they make it possible to assemble more or less closed structures which increases the incentive to play game and permits many interesting applications. Moreover, the use of less strong magnetic forces avoids disruptive magnetic fields, which, for example, attract shall parts or can impair clocks or other components containing precision mechanisms.

[0025]According to one embodiment, the construction kit includes construction elements which have a bevel on their edges. This makes it easier to butt a number of construction elements together at the edges.

[0027]According to one embodiment, the construction kit includes construction elements, which have cut-outs on the corners and / or sides to take a section of a sphere. This makes it possible to bring the construction elements very close together or to house the spheres mainly in the corners of the construction elements.

[0039]Furthermore, an advantageous embodiment provides for the construction kit including a base plate which has recesses and / or other surface structures and / or other magnetic elements in which the spheres and / or construction elements can be inserted and / or with which spheres and / or construction elements can be connected by magnetic bonding so that they can be detached. Building up from the base plate, structures can be erected advantageously starting from the grid which is specified by the base plate. The base plate is a useful aid to the construction of stable structures, especially if these reach large dimensions.

[0042]According to one embodiment, the base plate is produced in black and / or white and / or colored. According to one embodiment, the base plate is made of plastic. Moreover, the farther magnetic elements of the base plates are preferably permanent magnets. Especially in a base plate, the other magnetic elements can also be electromagnets in order to give the entire structure a special stability via particularly strong magnetic forces.

Problems solved by technology

The structures made of bar-shaped and spherical components are relatively unstable.

A further disadvantage of the known construction kit is that it can only be used to make network-type or “open structures.”

These spheres have a very complex structure and are very expensive to manufacture.

In use, they have the disadvantage that the construction elements can only aligned at certain angles to the spherical connections, as otherwise an adequate magnetic bond cannot be brought about.

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